The union representing workers at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay has expressed that its members are "ready and eager" to build new subway cars for Toronto. This declaration follows an appeal from the Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, urging the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to choose Alstom as the manufacturer.
Provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria highlighted the rationale for requesting a sole-source deal with Alstom in a social media post. He pointed out that this arrangement would facilitate the manufacturing of Line 2 subway cars at the Thunder Bay facility, aiming to "protect Ontario workers and their jobs" amid tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Unifor's national president, Lana Payne, endorsed the initiative, asserting that it is essential for different governmental levels to work in unison to channel procurement funding toward supporting Canadian jobs. She emphasized that in the current climate, such coordination is particularly important.
In the face of President Trump’s tariffs, we’re standing up to protect #Ontario workers and their jobs.
— Prabmeet Sarkaria (@PrabSarkaria) April 24, 2025
I’ve requested @MayorOliviaChow and the @cityoftoronto consider a sole-source procurement with Alstom for the TTC’s new subway trains — a move that would support good jobs… https://t.co/ptx2cGWu5J
If the contract is awarded, Unifor officials have stated that their members would be responsible for constructing 55 new subway cars intended to replace outdated vehicles on the Bloor-Danforth line, which are nearing the end of their lifespan. The federal government had previously secured the final funding necessary—amounting to $758 million—for these new trains, complementing contributions from both the Ontario government and the City of Toronto.
Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi asserted that each investments approval strengthens the union's efforts to advocate for a "Made-in-Canada" manufacturing sector. She underscored the critical opportunity to advance local industries and bolster Canada's economy by creating stable, well-paying jobs in Ontario.
The Alstom plant has been proactive in securing contracts, having been chosen to refurbish 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches earlier in January with a provincial commitment of nearly $500 million, which is expected to support hundreds of employment opportunities. Additionally, the plant is currently involved in manufacturing several new TTC streetcars.
Justin Roberts, president of Unifor Local 1075, expressed optimism about the prospects for increased work opportunities, stating that the union's members are enthusiastic about the chance to build subway cars and are hopeful for further opportunities that would benefit local communities.
Despite the province's push, the City of Toronto has indicated that the procurement process would remain open to bids from multiple manufacturers. The bidding process was initiated at the end of 2024. However, TTC officials have reiterated the necessity of placing an order for new trains. They indicated that investing in new trains and modernizing Line 2 is vital for maintaining a high-quality transit service for daily users.
The initiative to overhaul the Bloor-Danforth line began as early as 2020, with the TTC setting aside funds for replacing the signaling system originally installed in the 1960s. This overhaul includes upgrades to the transit agency's Greenwood subway yard and plans to replace all trains to enhance service reliability and efficiency.
Despite this proactive approach, in mid-2023, the TTC canceled a bidding process that involved multiple bidders for 80 trains due to a lack of funding. The projected cost for the 55 trains designated for Line 2 stands at $2.27 billion. Additionally, a state-of-good-repair program with a budget of $163 million is required to sustain the operational status of the remaining fleet until the new trains are delivered.
